U.S. Versus Israeli Aviation Security

H4 Solutions ^ | 9/3/2019 | Kelly Hoggan

[BigKahuna]

Israel, which has experienced much terrorism, both within its borders and against its citizens around the world, is generally acknowledged to be expert in the field of aviation security. To say that Israel takes such matters seriously, especially at its airports and onboard the planes of its flag carrier, El Al, would be an understatement. So: Can the U.S., with its gargantuan air transportation system, learn anything from Israel when it comes to aviation security? The short answer is “yes,” but with caveats.

For starters, let’s look at how security at the airport level – which is where most flyers first experience it—is handled. Airline passengers leaving out of Israel’s largest airport, Ben Gurion, are advised to check in at least 3 hours prior to their flight’s departure, with Israeli security officers taking full and thorough advantage of that time. It would be exceedingly rare for an El Al passenger to check in 2 hours from his flight and make it aboard, in other words.

Here in the U.S., officials advise air travelers to check-in about 2 hours from their flight, and many travelers chafe even at that. Ticket counter agents at American airports have stories galore about hopeful passengers checking in at 30 minutes, or even 1 hour, before their flight and becoming enraged when told they wouldn’t make it. Imagine being a U.S. flyer and finding out that even 2 hours wouldn’t be enough time to make it onto your plane? This leads us to a key observation about flying today:

Unfortunately, the nature of security is that it still takes time for an airline passenger to be vetted thoroughly enough to allow her to board a commercial airliner. This is true whether in Israel or the United States...

[BigKahuna]

I read the whole thing. Bottom line is, it comes down to even more dollars to get Israeli-level security, and that money would come in the form of greater fee costs tacked onto airline tickets. Plus, there's the time it would take to move folks through the security process. And that's not taking into account the flying public's feelings about a 3-hour minimum check-in time.

Add in that organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (not to mention the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which is an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation case... ;-) would absolutely FUH-REEK OUT! at the thought of even a hint of so-called "profiling" -- and forget about those pat-downs and interrogations before flyers even check in -- and I don't see Israeli-style security ever being instituted here in the States.

So keep taking those shoes off and emptying those water bottles, people...

[fella]

Airport security is proof that the terrorists have won.

[cuban leaf]

P. J. O’Rourke once said, and I paraphrase: Israeli and US airport security both do what they were designed to do. Israeli security prevents terrorists from carrying out their plans. US security annoys people.

[cuban leaf]

Here in the U.S., officials advise air travelers to check-in about 2 hours from their flight...

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What works very well for us is one hour. Never, ever had a problem.

[cuban leaf]

... it still takes time for an airline passenger to be vetted thoroughly enough to allow her to board a commercial airliner...

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Yep. Everything takes longer for women. For me, one hour is more than enough time, every time. :)

[BigKahuna]

“P. J. O’Rourke once said, and I paraphrase: Israeli and US airport security both do what they were designed to do. Israeli security prevents terrorists from carrying out their plans. US security annoys people.”

Truer words were never spoken. ;-)

[BigKahuna]

“Yep. Everything takes longer for women. For me, one hour is more than enough time, every time. :)”

Even for overnight trips, my wife tries to bring everything but the kitchen sink. It’s unbelievable. Is it genetic with women? ;-)

[ml/nj]

I'm not sure about having to check in three hours ahead of time. Israeli security works because they employ intelligent people rather than goons. Their people don't waste their time with folks who obviously pose no threat. Usually, I am asked two or three questions like: "Why did you come to Israel," and then I am sent on my way. My guess is they also know that I've been there multiple times before. Here in the US they don't seem to care that I am always flying to or from the major airport closest to my home of 30+ years, and generally to or from some other airport that I've used 10 or more times.

ML/NJ